A Potter Secret

Dobby's Death

With a great whoosh, Harry and the others tumble onto solid earth and hear the crash of waves. As Harry staggers to his feet, stars whirl above him. He sees he is on a cliff overlooking a dark sea. Ron holds Hermione gently. Tears sting her eyes. "It's all right, Hermione. You're safe. We're all safe," Harry assures. She doesn't respond, nor Ron. Then Harry realizes they are looking past him, even Griphook, the sword hanging limply in his hand. Harry turns. Dobby stands alone, a queer smile on his face, hand over his heart, the hilt of Bellatrix's dagger protruding between his fingers. "Dobby no." As Harry rushes to him, the elf crumples in his arms, his eyes rolling up to the stars. "It's okay Here Just hold on, Dobby I'll fix you, Hermione, your bag, you must have something, Essence of Dittany, something Hermione! Help me!"

She merely stands, tears streaking her cheeks. "Such a beautiful night to be with friends. Dobby is happy to be with his friend Harry Potter," Dobby says.

Isabella pops out of the bag, running forward to Dobby. Dobby gives a little shudder, then goes still. The others simply stare, mute, listening to the waves thunder. Footfalls sound. Ron turns, sees his brother Bill and Luna approaching from the cottage in the distance.

"Fleur's seeing to Ollivander. Anyone else need tending-" Bill trails off.

He eyes Harry curiously, crouched, his back turned. Then sees Dobby's limp little legs dangling lifelessly. As the others watch, Harry reaches out and, gently as he can, pulls the dagger from Dobby's chest, then shrugs off his jacket and enwraps the elf's body. Slowly, his shoulders begin to shake. Only Luna dares to step forward. Kneeling, she sees Harry is silently crying. "We should close his eyes. Don't you think?" Luna asks. Luna reaches out, tenderly places her fingers upon Dobby's eyelids and closes them. "There. Now he could be sleeping." She turns then, looks at Harry. "Harry. It's all right. That it hurts. That's what reminds us how lucky we are to be alive."

Harry turns, studies her serene face briefly, then his eyes shift to Dobby, his face serene as well, in death. "I want to bury him properly. Without magic," Harry insists.

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A spade pierces the earth as Harry begins to dig, fiercely obsessed by his task. A moment later, Ron kneels beside him and begins to do the same, then Hermione. The thundering ocean comes into view and the lone cottage in the distance.

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As Bill fills a kettle, Luna taps the wind chime hanging in the window and a ghostly refrain fills the room. "It's beautiful here," Luna says.

"It was our Aunt's. We used to come here as kids. The Order uses it now as a safe house, what's left of us, at least," Bill says.

Luna ponders this, then taps the chime again. "Muggles think these keep evil away. But they're wrong," Luna explains.

Bill studies her curiously. Then Harry appears in the doorway with Ron and Hermione. "I need to talk to the goblin," Harry states.

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A knock sounds. Griphook turns, watches Bill push open the door, step aside for Harry, Ron and Hermione. Harry waits for Bill to withdraw. Turns to Griphook. "How are you?" Harry asks.

"Alive," Griphook retorts.

"You probably don't remember-" Harry starts.

Griphook interrupts, saying, "That I showed you to your vault the first time you visited Gringotts? Even amongst goblins, you are famous, Harry Potter." He nods to the window. "You buried the elf. I saw you."